Lighted drink container

ABSTRACT

A lighted drinking container is disclosed. The lighted drinking container includes a container having an open top, a bottom, and a side; a cover; and at least one light emitting device positioned in the cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/830,860, filed Aug. 20, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/658,836, filed Mar. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,134,020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/474,644, filed Sep. 2, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,953, the entirecontents of each of which is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to a container apparatus having atleast one light emitting diode to illuminate at least a part of thecontainer of the container apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Containers that change color are known in the art. Some containers havea temperature sensitive paint which changes color according to theexternal temperature. For example, such a container can have one colorwhen filled with a cold liquid and a different color when filled with ahot liquid. Other containers have a fluorescent colorant which is of aparticular color when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Typically, suchconventional color change containers have limited possible colors.

What is needed is a container where the color of which, and its contentsif included, can be selected from among several colors.

This disclosure describes improvements over these prior arttechnologies.

SUMMARY

A lighted drinking container is provided herein, said color changingcontainer apparatus includes a container having an open top, a bottomand a side; a cover attachable to the top; and at least one lightemitting device positioned in the cover.

A lighted drinking container is provided herein, said color changingcontainer apparatus includes a container having an open top, a bottomand a side; a cover attachable to the top of the container, comprisingat least one light emitting device for providing a plurality of userselectable colors; and a plurality of switches for selecting a desiredcolor.

A lighted drinking container is provided herein, said color changingcontainer apparatus includes a container having an open top, a bottomand a side; a cover attachable to the top of the container, comprising:at least one light emitting device for providing a plurality of userselectable colors; and a plurality of switches for selecting a desiredcolor; and a controller connected to the at least one light emittingdevice and the plurality of switches for controlling the at least onelight emitting device according to inputs received from the plurality ofswitches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from thespecific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an expanded perspective view of a color changing containerapparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a cover of a color changingcontainer apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a cover of a color changingcontainer apparatus according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a color changing container apparatusaccording to the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of thisdisclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limitedto the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters describedand/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only andis not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims,the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, andreference to a particular numerical value includes at least thatparticular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Rangesmay be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” oneparticular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particularvalue. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes fromthe one particular value and/or to the other particular value.Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatialreferences, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper,lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only andcan be varied within the scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure describes a container that can change color usingat least one visible light source. The container can be manufacturedsuch that all or part of the container transmits light there-through,for example by adding paint or decals on the container or manufacturingpart(s) of the container from non-transparent material(s). In addition,any liquid contained in the container can also take on the color of thevisible light source. Further, the color of the light source can bechangeable either by a user or automatically based on preprogramming ofa specialized controller. Different patterns of flashing or flickeringcolors can also be achieved by the present disclosure. The novel colorchanging container will now be described with respect to theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a color changing container apparatus 10according to the present disclosure will now be described. The containerapparatus 10 includes a container 20 and a cover 40.

Cover 40 of container apparatus 10 can be a solid cover or can include away to extract liquid from the container, for example, an optional straw50 or a sippy cup configuration (not shown). Other configurations arecontemplated. Cover 40 is shown connectable to container 20 via threads21/41. Other types of connecting features are contemplated, for example,cover 40 could be connectable to container 20 via a snap seal.

Container 20 includes a bottom 22 and a side 23. Differing shapes andsizes of container 20 are contemplated. For example, container 20 can befabricated into the shape of a mug with or without side patterning andwith a handle. Optionally, container 20 can include graphics and/orindicia (not shown).

Container 20 can be fabricated from any glass or polymeric materialsuitable for the purposes described herein. A characteristic of thematerial suitable for container 20 is that at least side 23 is capableof transmitting visible light through at least a part of the container.For example, polymeric materials suitable for use in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, engineering plastics such ashigh density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), ultra high molecular weightpolyethylene plastic (UHMWPE), MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic (Nylon),polytetrafluoroethylene plastic (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalate(PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO),polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK),polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyoxymethylene plastic(POM/Acetal).

Cover 40 can be fabricated from any glass or polymeric material suitablefor the purposes described herein. In one embodiment, a characteristicof the material that can be used for cover 40 is that at least part ofcover 40 is capable of transmitting visible light there-through. Forexample, polymeric materials suitable for use in the present inventioninclude, but are not limited to, engineering plastics such as highdensity polyethylene plastic (HDPE), ultra high molecular weightpolyethylene plastic (UHMWPE), MC cast nylon 6/66 plastic (Nylon),polytetrafluoroethylene plastic (PTFE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS), polycarbonates (PC), polyamides (PA), polybutylene terephthalate(PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyphenylene oxide (PPO),polysulphone (PSU), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetheretherketone (PEEK),polyimides, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), or polyoxymethylene plastic(POM/Acetal).

Cover 40 can include switches 104-108, a circuit board 101, at least onelight emitting diode (LED) 111-113, and battery 120. As differentswitches 104-108 are selected LED 111-113 will be connected to battery120 to provide illumination. LED 111-113 and battery 120 can be includedon a single circuit board 101.

LED 111-113 can provide at least three user selectable individualcolors. At least part of the container 20 is illuminated and acquiresthe selected color when the individual color light provided by the lightemitting device is switched on. In other embodiments, cover 40 can beilluminated by LED 111-113 either with or without illuminating container20.

More particularly, the LED 111-113 can include at least three lightemitting devices, each, when actuated, emitting a color specific to thedevice and different from the colors of the other light emittingdevices. A single multi-colored LED is also contemplated. In a preferredembodiment LED 111-113 comprise a specific light emitting diode for eachof at least three different colors. Exemplary colors include, but arenot limited to, red, blue, purple, yellow, green etc. Although lightemitting diodes are preferred, as an alternative low wattageincandescent light bulbs of different selected colors can be employed asthe light emitting devices.

In another embodiment, switches 204-208 can be connected to a speciallyprogrammed controller 130 that can control the overall operation of thecolor changing container apparatus 10. A memory 240 can be included tostore various programming to enable controller 230 to vary the lightpatterns of LED 111-113.

Container apparatus 10 can include switches 104-108 (or switches204-208) associated with cover 40. In particular the switches can be,for example push button switches, slide switches, other switches orcombinations thereof. In an embodiment, a particular switch itself canbe color coded to conform to the light color selected by the switch. Themultiple switches 104-108 are disposed on a lateral side 35 of cover 40.In this configuration, switch 104 supplies power to the elements of thecircuit. Switch 105 activates one of the light emitting diodes of themulticolor LED device, for example the red light emitting diode. Switch106 activates a different one of the light emitting diodes of themulticolor LED device, for example the blue light emitting diode. Switch107 activates a third one of the light emitting diodes of the multicolorLED device, for example the purple light emitting diode. Switch 108actuates all of the light emitting diodes at the same time.

LED 111-113 can each provide a particular color different from thecolors of the other LEDs. Battery 120 provides a power source foroperation of the LEDs. Switch 105 controls power to light emitting diode111. Switch 106 controls power to light emitting diode 112. Switch 107controls power to light emitting diode 113. Accordingly, when any of theswitches 105, 106 or 107 are actuated the container 20 is totallyilluminated with the color of the particular LED associated with thecorresponding switch.

Switch 108 is preferably a triple pole switch. When actuated, switch 108provides power to all three LEDs 111, 112 and 113, thereby alsoproviding an additional color which is made up of the combined colors ofthe three LEDs. In an alternative embodiment, switch 108 provides powerto two of the LEDs. Other lighting variations are contemplated.

As described above, container apparatus 10 can also include controller130, memory 240 and, optionally, speaker S. In this configuration,switch 204 causes controller to activate a light show with multipleflashing light emitting diodes to provide a color light show, optionallywith sound effects provided through speaker S. Switch 205 causescontroller to activate one of the light emitting diodes of themulticolor LED device, for example the red light emitting diode. Switch206 causes controller to activate a different one of the light emittingdiodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the blue light emittingdiode. Switch 207 causes controller to activate a third one of the lightemitting diodes of the multicolor LED device, for example the purplelight emitting diode. Switch 208 causes controller to activate all ofthe light emitting diodes at the same time. Other lighting variationsare contemplated.

Controller 230 is also connected to a speaker S to provide sound effectsstored in memory 240. Controller 230 is programmed to turn on and offthe light emitting diodes 111, 112 and 113 in a desired pattern(s) basedon the switch positions, thereby providing a light show with soundeffects.

Although the control of the lights in the color changing containerapparatus 10 have been described with respect to the electricalconfigurations of FIGS. 4 and 5, other variations are contemplated toproduce the lighting and/or sound effects described herein andvariations thereof.

It is also contemplated that LED 111-113 can be operated by a motionactivated switch 701, for example an accelerometer or a gyroscope, toactivate the LED 111-113 when container apparatus 10 is shaken or moved.As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, motion activated switch 701 can replaceswitches 104-108 and/or switches 204-208. Although illustrated asreplacing switches 104-108 and/or 204-208, motion activated switch 701can be used in conjunction with these switches to provide differentswitching functions to a user.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specificsshould not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely asexemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in theart will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit ofthe invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.

Where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure ina specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certaincircumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed,and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedureclaim set forth herein below not be construed as being order-specificunless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim.

While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have beendescribed in reference to the environment in which they were developed,they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions.Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, otherembodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention,and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those ofskill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighted drinking container, comprising: acontainer having an open top, a bottom, and a side; a cover attachableto the top; and at least one light emitting device positioned in thecover.
 2. The lighted drinking container of claim 1, wherein the atleast one light emitting device is positioned to at least direct lightinto the container.
 3. The lighted drinking container of claim 1,wherein the cover is constructed from a material such that at least apart of the cover can transmit light there-through and the at least onelight emitting device is positioned to illuminate the cover.
 4. Thelighted drinking container of claim 1, further comprising: at least oneswitch electrically connected to the light emitting device forcontrolling the light emitting device.
 5. The lighted drinking containerof claim 4, further comprising: a controller connected to the at leastone light emitting device and the at least one switch for controllingthe at least one light emitting device according to an input receivedfrom at least one switch.
 6. The lighted drinking container of claim 1,wherein the at least one light emitting device is a light emitting diode(LED).
 7. The lighted drinking container of claim 5, wherein thecontroller is connected to a speaker to provide sound effects.
 9. Thelighted drinking container of claim 4, wherein the switch is a motionactivated switch.
 10. A lighted drinking container, comprising: acontainer having an open top, a bottom, and a side; a cover attachableto the top of the container, comprising: at least one light emittingdevice for providing a plurality of colors.
 11. The lighted drinkingcontainer of claim 10, wherein the at least one light emitting device ispositioned to at least direct light into the container.
 12. The lighteddrinking container of claim 10, wherein the cover is constructed from amaterial such that at least a part of the cover can transmit lightthere-through and the at least one light emitting device is positionedto illuminate the cover.
 13. The lighted drinking container of claim 10,further comprising at least one switch for controlling the lightemitting device.
 14. The lighted drinking container of claim 13, furthercomprising: a controller connected to the at least one light emittingdevice and the at least one switch for controlling the at least onelight emitting device according to an input received from at least oneswitch.
 15. The lighted drinking container of claim 10, wherein the atleast one light emitting device is a light emitting diode (LED).
 16. Thelighted drinking container of claim 14, wherein the controller isconnected to a speaker to provide sound effects.
 17. The lighteddrinking container of claim 13, wherein the switch is a motion activatedswitch.
 18. A lighted drinking container, comprising: a container havingan open top, a bottom, and a side; a cover attachable to the top of thecontainer, comprising: at least one light emitting device for providinga plurality of colors; and at least one switch for at least one ofcontrolling power to the light emitting device or selecting a color; anda controller connected to the at least one light emitting device and theat least one switch for controlling the at least one light emittingdevice according to inputs received from the at least one switch. 19.The lighted drinking container of claim 18, wherein the at least onelight emitting device is positioned to at least direct light into thecontainer.
 20. The lighted drinking container of claim 18, wherein thecover is constructed from a material such that at least a part of thecover can transmit light there-through and the at least one lightemitting device is positioned to illuminate the cover.